19 October 2001
Transcript: President Bush, China's Jiang Zemin Meet in Shanghai
(Bush: China stands "side by side" with U.S. against terror) (2270)
President Bush says his first-ever meeting with Chinese President
Jiang Zemin has convinced him that the United States and China can
work through their differences and build on their many common
interests.
"Two great nations will rarely agree on everything; I understand
that," Bush told reporters after the October 19 talks in Shanghai.
"But I assured [Jiang] that we'll always deal with our differences in
a spirit of mutual respect. We seek a relationship that is candid,
constructive and cooperative."
One clear mutual goal is stopping terrorism, Bush said. "We have a
common understanding of the magnitude of the threat posed by
international terrorism," he said. "I believe that the United States
and China can accomplish a lot when we work together to fight
terrorism."
Bush noted that China had responded immediately to the September 11
terrorist attacks against the United States. "There was no hesitation,
there was no doubt that they would stand with the United States at
this terrible time," he said.
China has made a "firm commitment" to cooperate with the United States
in intelligence matters and in the interdiction of terrorist financing
networks, Bush said. "President Jiang and the government stand side by
side with the American people as we fight this evil force."
Regarding other aspects of U.S.-China relations, Bush said he welcomed
China's accession into the World Trade Organization, describing it as
an important development that will benefit people in both countries
and throughout the world.
"In the long run, the advance of Chinese prosperity depends on China's
full integration into the rules and norms of international
institutions," Bush said. "And in the long run, economic freedom and
political freedom will go hand in hand."
For his part, Jiang confirmed China's opposition to terrorism "of all
forms," and said he hoped that anti-terrorism efforts could have
"clearly defined goals" and "hit accurately ... to avoid innocent
casualties." He also said that the role of the United Nations "should
be brought into full play."
China and the United States "share [a] common responsibility and
interest in maintaining peace and security in the Asia Pacific and
world at large," Jiang said, adding that the two countries should work
together with the rest of the international community to combat
terrorism.
President Bush traveled to Shanghai for the October 20-21 meeting of
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders. His agenda also
includes bilateral talks with President Vladimir Putin of Russia.
Following is the White House transcript of the Bush-Jiang press
availability:
(begin transcript)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Shanghai, People's Republic of China)
October 19, 2001
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT BUSH AND PRESIDENT JIANG ZEMIN IN PRESS
AVAILABILITY
Western Suburb Guest House
(Shanghai, People's Republic of China)
PRESIDENT JIANG: Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, I've just had a
very good talk with President Bush. This is our first meeting, and we
have had an in-depth exchange of views and reached a series of
consensus with respect to such major issues as Sino-U.S. relations,
counterterrorism, and maintenance of world peace and stability.
China and the United States are two countries with significant
influence in the world. As such, we share common responsibility and
interest in maintaining peace and security in the Asia Pacific and the
world at large, promoting regional and global economic growth and
prosperity, and working together with the rest of the international
community to combat terrorism.
China attaches importance to its relations with the United States and
stands ready to make joint efforts with the U.S. side to develop a
constructive and cooperative relationship.
We live in a world of diversity. Given the differences in national
conditions, it is not surprising that there are certain disagreements
between China and the United States. I believe that different
civilizations and social systems ought to have long-term coexistence
and achieve common development in the spirit of seeking common ground
while shelving differences.
The Sino-U.S. relations are currently faced with the important
opportunities of development. We will conduct high-level strategic
dialogue, advance exchanges in cooperation in economic, trade, energy,
and other fields, and strengthen consultation and coordination on
major international and regional issues.
I'm confident that so long as the two sides keep a firm hold of the
common interests of the two countries, properly handled, bilateral
ties, especially the question of Taiwan, in accordance with the three
Sino-U.S. joint communiques, the relations between China and the
United States will continuously move forward.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Mr. President, thank you very much. I, too, felt like
we had a very good meeting. I've come to Shanghai because China and
other Asia Pacific nations are important partners in the global
coalition against terror.
I've also come because the economic future of my nation and this
region are inseparable. The nations of APEC share the same threat, and
we share the same hope for greater trade and prosperity.
Thank you so much for hosting this meeting. You and the city of
Shanghai have done an outstanding job. Mr. President, I visited this
city 25 years ago -- a little over 25 years ago. Then I could not have
imagined the dynamic and impressive Shanghai of 2001. It's an
impressive place, and I know you're proud. It's a tribute to the
leadership of the current officials of Shanghai, as well as to your
leadership as a former mayor, Mr. President.
We have a common understanding of the magnitude of the threat posed by
international terrorism. All civilized nations must join together to
defeat this threat. And I believe that the United States and China can
accomplish a lot when we work together to fight terrorism.
The President and the government of China responded immediately to the
attacks of September 11th. There was no hesitation, there was no doubt
that they would stand with the United States and our people during
this terrible time. There is a firm commitment by this government to
cooperate in intelligence matters, to help interdict financing of
terrorist organizations. It is -- President Jiang and the government
stand side by side with the American people as we fight this evil
force.
China is a great power. And America wants a constructive relationship
with China. We welcome a China that is a full member of world
community, that is at peace with its neighbors. We welcome and support
China's accession into the World Trade Organization. We believe it's a
very important development that will benefit our two peoples and the
world.
In the long run, the advance of Chinese prosperity depends on China's
full integration into the rules and norms of international
institutions. And in the long run, economic freedom and political
freedom will go hand in hand.
We've had a very broad discussion, including the fact that the war on
terrorism must never be an excuse to persecute minorities. I explained
my views on Taiwan and preserving regional stability in East Asia. I
stressed the need to combat the proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction and missile technology.
Today's meetings convinced me that we can build on our common
interests. Two great nations will rarely agree on everything; I
understand that. But I assured the President that we'll always deal
with our differences in a spirit of mutual respect. We seek a
relationship that is candid, constructive and cooperative.
I leave my country at a very difficult time. But this meeting is
important because of the campaign against terror, because of the ties
between two great nations, because the opportunity and hope that trade
provides for both our people.
I regret, Mr. President, I couldn't accept your invitation to visit
Beijing, but it will happen at a different time.
PRESIDENT JIANG: Next time.
PRESIDENT BUSH: That's right. Thank you for your hospitality.
Q: I'm a correspondent from China Central Television. Recently, there
has been improvement in Sino-U.S. relations. Just now you've had your
first meeting with President Bush. How would you envisage the future
growth of the bilateral ties?
PRESIDENT JIANG: The developments of international situation has, time
and again, shown that, despite our disagreements of this type or that,
the two countries share extensive common responsibility and interest
on major issues that bare on the survival and development of mankind.
I'm pleased to note that, recently, there has been improvement in our
bilateral ties. The two sides have maintained close consultation and
cooperation on major issue of counterterrorism. We've also made new
headway in our economic and trade fields in such exchanges and
cooperation.
China and the United States are different in their national
conditions, so it's normal that there are certain disagreements
between us. So long as both sides respect each other, treat each other
with sincerity, enhance trust through frequent exchange of views, than
the disagreements can get addressed properly.
Just now, in my meeting with President Bush, we once again had an
extensive and in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations. We
also reached important consensus. We stand ready to work together with
the U.S. side to increase our exchanges and cooperation, enhance
understanding and trust, and develop a constructive and cooperative
relations between us.
I'm convinced that so long as the three signed U.S. joint communiques
and fundamental norms governing international relations are adhered
to, and so long as the problems between us, especially the problem of
Taiwan -- the question of Taiwan is properly addressed, then there
will be a bright future of our relationship.
Q: Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, sir, for having us here. Mr.
President, do you know yet whether there is a definite link between
the anthrax attacks and any foreign interests, particularly al Qaeda
or Iraq? And separately, there's a report that we have special forces
in southern Afghanistan now. Can you confirm that the ground war has
begun?
And a quick question to our host, sir. Do you support the U.S.
military action in Afghanistan, which President Bush says could last
one or two years?
PRESIDENT BUSH: First, I spent some time explaining to the President
of my determination to bring people to justice that murdered our
citizens. And I told the President that our nation will do what it
takes to bring them to justice, no matter how long it takes. And, Ron,
I don't know the time, but I do know the desire.
And secondly, I explained to the President that we will hold people
accountable who harbor terrorists. And that's exactly what we're
doing.
I will not comment upon military operations. I made it very clear from
the outset of this campaign that I will not respond to rumors and
information that seeps into the public consciousness, for fear of
disrupting the operations that are taking place. But let me reiterate
what I've told the American people and the world. We will use whatever
means are necessary to achieve our objective.
Thirdly, I do not have a direct -- I don't have knowledge of a direct
link of the anthrax incidents to the enemy. But I wouldn't put it past
them. These are evil people and the deeds that have been conducted on
the American people are evil deeds. And anybody who would mail anthrax
letters, trying to affect the lives of innocent people, is evil. And I
want to say this as clearly as I can, that anybody in America who will
use this opportunity to threaten our citizens, will think it's funny
as a hoax to put out some kind of threat, will be held accountable and
will be prosecuted.
Now is the time in America -- now is the time -- for us to stand up
against terror, and for American citizens to unite against terror. And
we're looking, we're on the search to find out who's conducting these
evil acts.
I'm also pleased that the government is responding very quickly, that
people who have been exposed to anthrax are getting the necessary
treatments. I think it's very important for people of all the world to
understand that if anthrax -- if people are exposed to anthrax, there
is a treatment for it. And it's very important for all our governments
to react and respond as quickly as possible to make sure the citizens
who get exposed receive the necessary antibiotics. And we're doing
that in America.
And the American people also have got to understand that we will make
sure that there is ample supplies, as we deal with this evil act, that
we'll make sure there's ample supplies available for the American
people.
(President Bush's comments translated.)
PRESIDENT BUSH: Couldn't have said it any better. (Laughter.)
PRESIDENT JIANG: In my discussion with President Bush this morning,
I've made clear that we are opposed to terrorism of all forms. And
what we have done in the past has shown this attitude of ours very
clearly. We hope that anti-terrorism efforts can have clearly defined
targets. And efforts should hit accurately, and also avoid innocent
casualties. And what is more, the role of the United Nations should be
brought into full play.
I'd also like to make a comment on anthrax. I've also heard about it.
And I think with regard to this problem, all countries should take a
unanimous stand, because it's a public hazard. We should all unite and
work to prevent it from spreading any further.
That's the end of the press conference.
Thank you.
(end transcript)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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